CNN
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If all reveals had been animated like “The Simpsons,” networks wouldn’t have to pressure to maintain them alive. But live-action dramas include shelf lives, which explains the CW’s twin makes an attempt to increase two of its franchises with prequels: “Walker Independence,” a back-to-the-Previous-West adjunct to its Texas Ranger reboot; and “The Winchesters,” a one-generation-back rekindling of the “Supernatural” flame.
Of the 2, “Independence” feels a bit extra intriguing, if hardly unique, inasmuch as “Yellowstone” already blazed the identical path into cowboy territory with “1883.” As for “The Winchesters,” after “Supernatural’s” spectacular 15-year run you’d need to miss the blokes an terrible lot with a view to thrill to this “How I Met Your Mom/Father”-esque origin story about their mother and father teaming as much as foil demonic evil.
The primary downside with “Walker” is the occasions that set the present in movement really feel a lot better tailor-made to a restricted collection than an open-ended run. Particularly, Abby Walker (Katherine McNamara) comes west from Boston within the late 1800s, solely to see her husband – who has come to take the job as sheriff – promptly murdered by Tom Davidson (Greg Hovanessian), who shortly steps in to exchange him.
Having witnessed the homicide, Abby is set to actual revenge. From there, although, the collection primarily turns into a slow-rolling western cleaning soap opera, one boasting an admirably numerous forged, however a irritating sense that the entire vengeance factor goes to take rather a lot longer than it ought to.
Till then, Matt Barr, as low-life outlaw Hoyt Rawlins, and Justin Johnson Cortez as Calian, an Apache tracker who befriends Abby, aren’t dangerous firm, and the present has a reasonably polished look. But watching Abby settle into the city and attending to know the opposite personalities – a few of whom harbor their very own secrets and techniques – has a determined been-to-this-rodeo-before high quality.
Then once more, in comparison with “The Winchesters,” “Walker” feels minty recent, as the previous goes again to reenact when Mary (“Zombies’” Meg Donnelly) met John (Drake Rodger) – though their model of meet-cute includes teaming as much as dispatch a demonically possessed foe.
“This a traditional night time for you?” John asks, solely to be advised by Mary, “You don’t need any a part of this life, I promise you.”
After all, there’d be no collection if he didn’t, and John seems to be fairly useful in a pinch, with Vietnam flashbacks indicating a number of the motion that he’s seen. As well as, the 2 share a quest associated to their respective households, offering a basis for what’s to return.
The sturdiness of the format will be seen in “Supernatural’s” inordinate longevity, and there are references and callbacks to that present for many who have fun. The principals right here, although, are constructing a distinct form of chemistry than that brotherly banter, and at the least initially, all of it comes throughout as fairly flat.
Having relied so closely on its superhero reveals, the CW – making ready to enter a brand new section underneath new possession – is exhibiting an comprehensible impulse to money in on its different profitable titles, even when the hyperlinks seem a tad tenuous.
For now, “Walker Independence” (which, sure, will comply with “Walker”) and “The Winchesters” come blessed with identify recognition, however creatively talking, first impressions say that the community has dipped into the prequel properly twice too usually.
“Walker Independence” premieres October 6 at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.
“The Winchesters” premieres October 11 at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.